14 May 2012
Passengers on the Esk Valley line in northern England will be travelling over four new bridges after Network Rail replaces then during the half-term school holiday in early June.
The work will see engineers working around the clock to replace Danby, Duck, Thorneywaite and Carr End bridges on the line between Middlesbrough and Whitby.
Duck Bridge is one of four to be replaced.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “This route is vital for hundreds of children who use the train to travel to school each day. After considerable discussion with Northern Rail it was clear these essential improvements needed to be scheduled for the school holidays in order to minimise disruption.”
Northern Rail trains on the Middlesbrough to Whitby line will be disrupted for nine days from Saturday 2nd June. All other works are being completed while trains are running.
The bridges will be replaced in pairs to maximise use of resources and complete as much work as possible in the shortest timeframe. Danby and Duck bridge are one package and Thorneywaite and Carr End are the other.
The package of work is worth approximately US$3.4 million and is designed to make sure that the bridges are fit for purpose for many years, allowing a safe, reliable rail service.
Large rail cranes (Kirow 1200) will be used to remove the existing bridge decks and install the new steelwork. All of the main bridge elements will be transported to site by rail.
“This decision to schedule the works during the jubilee weekend was not taken lightly,” said Verster. “These bridges are nearing the end of their life and need to be replaced. Network Rail has already given an undertaking that substantial engineering works of this kind will not be scheduled during the Olympics. The autumn and winter school holidays are not suitable as large cranes are required to lift the bridges which cannot operate in bad weather.”
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